Why iPhone videos look washed out
HDR video stores brightness for very bright screens. A normal (SDR) screen that doesn’t understand the HDR metadata shows it flat and grey. Converting to standard dynamic range maps the brightness properly — colors look normal everywhere.
What this preset does
- HEVC → H.264, the most compatible video codec
- HDR → SDR (BT.709), 8-bit — normal colors on any screen
- Up to 1080p and 30 fps — what old TVs and players can handle
- Keeps the capture date and location
Files marked HDR in the list will be converted automatically.
iPhone camera settings that cause problems
- Settings → Camera → Formats → High Efficiency records HEVC. “Most Compatible” records H.264 but uses about twice the space.
- Settings → Camera → Record Video → HDR Video records Dolby Vision HDR — the main reason clips look grey on Windows and Android.
- Cinematic and Action modes, 4K 60 fps produce files that older laptops and TVs struggle to play smoothly.
You don’t need to change these settings — HEVC HDR looks great on iPhones and Macs. Convert only the videos you share or play elsewhere.
AirDrop, iCloud and “Automatic” transfer
When you export from Photos to a Mac or via iCloud.com you get the original HEVC file. Settings → Photos → Transfer to Mac or PC → Automatic converts to H.264 when copying over USB, but not over AirDrop or cloud. Converting here works for files from any source.
Keeping the date the video was taken
Many converters write today’s date into the file, so the video jumps to the end of your gallery. CompressLab copies the original capture date and GPS location into the new MP4 — Google Photos, Windows Photos and Apple Photos all sort it correctly.
Questions
Why can’t Windows play my iPhone video?
Windows needs the paid HEVC extension to play HEVC. Converting to H.264 MP4 makes it play everywhere for free.
Will the colors change?
HDR is converted to standard range, so colors look normal on regular screens; on an HDR display the original is brighter.
How do I convert MOV to MP4 on Windows?
Drop the MOV here. The result is an MP4 with H.264 video that Windows plays without extra codecs.
Last updated: 2026-10-30